tekstar

Hello all

I will be moving to Chicago in a few weeks, and am looking for advice on locations to live.

I've lived in California all of my life, and know very little about Chicago. Currently I've been looking into studio/1bed high rises in the loop/river north area. Specifically I've narrowed it down between Marina City, Aqua, and Alta at K Station.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I'll be able to bring my car with me , but it looks like there is enough public transportation to live without it. My office will be in downtown on Wacker.

Thank you for reading and I appreciate your help!

patinum

Welcome!

Not bringing your car? That's too bad. While you don't need a car in Chicago, I really like having my S in and around the city. Not a lot of good cruising roads compared to Californiam, but there's lots of autox/tracks in the area.

Anyway, I don't have a lot of advice for living in the loop. It seems like most of the people I know/meet live in the different Chicago neighborhoods. Something to consider.

Buying or renting?

tekstar

I have thought about bringing the s, but parking looks like it will be a headache. I'd also prefer to have a garage. I have tried looking for places with a garage in the Wicker Park area, but I have not found many.

Sorry, should have specified that I am renting!

K1ngfunK

Hello!

One option that some people who live in the city without a parking pot of their own is to rent a garage elsewhere in the city. Often these one- or two-car garages will grant you more flexibility to working on the car, storing tools, etc. Plus, they will often be nearly the same or maybe even less than renting a garage right in the loop. That's just one idea to consider.

Either way, Chicago is a great city! If you can have your car, you will be able to enjoy it, but it isn't necessary for getting around.

patinum

Just looking at where in the city the 3 you mentioned are located, I like Aqua. I think it would be cool to live that close to the river and lake. And the Lakeshore east park seems like a nice secluded alternative to the big parks, while still giving you the benefits of living in loop.

But then again, I don't spend a lot of time in the loop. One of the great things about Chicago is that it's a series of great neighborhoods as well as a thriving downtown/loop. Not to mention the lake. I'm sure any of the places you choose will be good. And since you're renting, you're not locked into anything. You might find a neighborhood you like and can always move in a year or more.

I still recommend bringing the car though I'm renting a garage in Wicker park now and its great. It's about 10 minutes drive (in my daily driver) from me, but you could probably find something near a train stop as well.

Chris S2K

I think you'll miss a lot of what the city has to offer if you enclose yourself off in the downtown area. IMO, living downtown is overrated, but if it gives you a short commute to work, and that's important to you...then by all means, go for it.

If you had to pick from just the three, cross off Marina City. While iconic, the building is decrepit and you won't find the amenities of a modern building. The Aqua is a very nice building and it will be the most expensive of the three. As Patinum mentioned above, the Lakeshore East development will give you the big city experience, but you'll also be enclosed quiet area with lots of parks. K Station is also a new building, and it's located west in River North. I live just a short distance northwest of there, and I like the area. It's relatively new, and traffic isn't too bad in the area, thus easy to live with a car.

If you do decide to bring your car, also consider River West and the West Loop. Both of those areas are parking friendly (shared garage or street), and you can walk to work within 15-20 minutes. Most of the apartments there are lofts, and you can get yourself a 1 bedroom w/garage parking for $1400+. Take $200 to $300 off that for 600 sq. ft. studios.

Zgradis

Yeah I live in the south/west/loop area, basically next to the sears tower and I love it. I looked at Aqua and the views and location is stunning, however it felt meh inside specially for the price. Where on wacker are you working? My friend lives in Marina city and while the units can get rehabbed a bit, it still feels old...

K1ngfunK

I'll have to add another vote to the West Loop. I live close to that area and feel it is a very neat area to live that provides enough space for a car while keeping you close to a wide variety of fun neighborhoods (Greektown and Little Italy come to mind).

philbert

when i lived in the city, i rented a studio, then a 1-bedroom, at Cobbler Square in Old Town (Wells St between North and Division). it's a loft conversion series of buildings in a great area - border of Lincoln Park (both the neighborhood and the actual park, which during the non-winter months, is host to the chicago sport and social club's various sports leagues), can walk to the zoo and North Avenue Beach, or going the other direction, to the State/Rush "viagra triangle" if so inclined (a mile walk to Michigan Ave shops), tons of restaurants, Second City and Zaines comedy clubs up the street, etc.

transportation is great too - short walk to both Red and Brown line el stops, many bus lines run down LaSalle and Clark (1 and 2 blocks East), and garage parking is available. you're fairly close to both 90/94 to the West and Lake Shore Drive to the East.

the primary downside is if you were to work in a northern suburb, the "reverse commute" is horrible. which is really the only reason i was persuaded to move.

s2_derrick

heyyy i just drove from the bay a few months ago. its not such a bad drive and parking seems easier to find in the city than it was in frisco